CPC F16L 59/14 (2013.01) [F16L 53/30 (2018.01); G01N 17/006 (2013.01); G01N 25/56 (2013.01); G01M 99/002 (2013.01)] | 28 Claims |
1. A method for determining a thermal condition of a pipeline, comprising:
identifying a pipeline that carries a fluid at a steady-state temperature, the pipeline comprising:
a tubular conduit that comprises a bore that carries the fluid, and
a layer of insulation installed over an exterior surface of the tubular conduit;
changing the steady-state temperature of the fluid by applying a thermal contrast to the pipeline;
based on changing the steady-state temperature, detecting a thermal gradient between the fluid carried in the bore and at least one of the tubular conduit or the layer of insulation at a particular location of the pipeline; and
based on the detected thermal gradient, determining a presence of at least one of water or water vapor between the exterior surface of the tubular conduit and the layer of insulation at the particular location of the pipeline.
|
16. A system, comprising:
a pipeline that carries a first fluid at a steady-state temperature, the pipeline comprising a tubular conduit that comprises a bore that carries the first fluid, and a layer of insulation installed over an exterior surface of the tubular conduit;
a second fluid configured to circulate to one of the layer of insulation or an exterior surface of the pipeline at a temperature sufficient to change the steady-state temperature of the first fluid; and
a thermal image detector configured to detect a thermal gradient between the first fluid carried in the bore and at least one of the tubular conduit or the layer of insulation at a particular location of the pipeline to indicate a presence of at least one of water or water vapor between the exterior surface of the tubular conduit and the layer of insulation at the particular location of the pipeline.
|